Chapter 39
Baratheon left for the tournament grounds at dawn to get ready for the matches.
The only one riding in the carriage with me now was Sisé.
Grandfather had declared there was no need for him to attend if Sisé and I were going, and so he opted out.
Events like these, he said, were for the young.
“Wait a moment!”
Just as our carriage was about to depart, a familiar voice called out to stop us.
It was Kana Osette.
“If you’re headed to the tournament, may we come along? We have invitations, but it’s too late to call for another carriage.”
She said it that way, but it was obvious she’d never intended to hire a separate carriage.
Kana’s trademark warm smile was aimed at Sisé.
But instead of answering, Sisé turned to me with a look of mild annoyance.
“What do you think?”
“Why are you asking me?”
“Because your opinion matters most.”
As Sisé said that, he glanced back at Kana.
Ah… so he wanted me to be the one to give permission.
“Would it be all right, my lady?” Kana quickly asked, picking up on the cue.
Honestly, I would have liked to leave her standing in the road, but meeting friendliness with rudeness would have been petty.
“Fortunately, there’s another carriage, isn’t there? The one you used to come to the capital. Wouldn’t it be more comfortable to continue with that?”
“…Is that so? I hadn’t thought of that.”
Kana looked at me for a moment, then smiled her polite smile.
“Thank you for the suggestion, my lady.”
“Think nothing of it. Have a pleasant trip.”
With that, I closed the carriage window.
Sisé, sitting beside me, let out a low whistle.
“Where’d you learn that?”
“I was imitating you a little.”
“If you were really imitating me, you’d have ignored her and told the coachman to drive on.”
“Then let’s call it an imperfect imitation.”
Sisé chuckled.
“In that case, it’s better you never perfect it. It suits you more this way.”
As we neared the tournament arena, I could feel the growing excitement outside the carriage.
Crowds had already gathered and staked out their places.
Peeking out the window, I could see the heat of anticipation everywhere.
Wow.
I was silently impressed when the carriage finally rolled to a stop at our destination.
“Look, the Asinov crest!”
With that whisper, all eyes turned toward our carriage.
Ugh. Maybe we should’ve taken a smaller one.
Without thinking, I’d ridden in the carriage Sisé picked—naturally the most ostentatious one.
Unlike me, Sisé stepped down gracefully, perfectly accustomed to the stares.
I heard people murmur: Young Lord Asinov, Sisé, a mage…
“Here.”
Sisé, already on the ground, extended an arm to help me down.
But when I reached for his hand, he wrapped both arms around my waist and simply lifted me out of the carriage.
The crowd went silent as I landed in his arms.
So embarrassing!
I jabbed him in the leg with my elbow.
“What?”
“You made me look like a child!”
“You are a child.”
“Children hate looking like children!”
Sisé only laughed and made an exaggerated bow, holding out his hand.
“Then allow me to escort you properly, my lady.”
“Too late!”
I brushed past his hand.
After a few steps, I realized a big problem: I had no idea where our seats were.
I turned back toward him.
“So, um… where are we sitting?”
“Pfft.”
Sisé burst out laughing, then scooped me up again before I could protest.
“Children hate looking like children, huh?”
“Then hurry up and grow,” he teased.
I’d heard that one before.
Fine, I’ll grow up just to prove you wrong!
Our seats were front-row center, with the best view of the arena.
Though the stands were packed, people quickly stepped aside to let us pass.
When we reached our seats, an unexpected face awaited us.
Kana.
Maybe not so unexpected—she clearly had a plan.
She must have slipped in and claimed the spot while Sisé and I were delayed at the entrance.
To a stranger, it might even look as though we were all one close family.
“Persistent, aren’t you,” Sisé muttered, scowling as he settled me into my seat.
But really, what could she do just by sitting next to us?
I ignored her and turned my attention to the arena.
The knights who would compete were already warming up.
There’s Theon!
He was easy to spot—taller than the rest, his blond hair gleaming.
While other knights stretched and swung their swords lightly, Baratheon lounged with perfect ease.
Is it okay to be that casual before a match…?
He sat cross-legged with his eyes closed, tapping his foot, while other knights shot him disapproving looks.
“[The tournament will begin shortly. Please take your designated seats.]”
A magically amplified voice echoed through the grounds.
There were eight competitors.
I’d thought there might be more if every noble house in the capital participated.
Reading my thoughts, Sisé explained quietly:
“To keep their own knightly order, a house needs imperial approval. Only eight houses have it, so only eight knights can compete, each representing one of those houses.”
“And Asinov is, of course, one of them?”
“Of course. We’re listed first.”
While he spoke, the herald began introducing each house’s knight.
Each knight stepped forward to receive a token of victory from his house’s lady.
The ladies would blush and present their tokens as the knights bowed.
So that’s my role.
I doubted I could manage such a shy, demure expression.
Seeing my face go pale, Sisé tried not to laugh, but I caught the sparkle in his eyes and jabbed his side with my elbow.
At last it was Baratheon’s turn.
“[Representing the Mist Knights of House Asinov—Sir Baratheon Asinov!]”
Cheers erupted from every direction, most of them female.
Wow, Theon’s popular.
Well, of course.
Young lord of the Asinov family, a sword master, and (when he kept his mouth shut) quite handsome.
It would be stranger if he wasn’t popular.
But at home he’s just a big goof.
Apparently the outside world didn’t know that.
Standing tall with his sword, he looked so dependable that even I momentarily forgot his usual image.
As I marveled at the attention he drew, he approached the stands.
He came straight toward me. Our eyes met, and he smiled.
“My lady, the token of victory, if you please.”
He bowed with exaggerated politeness, making me stifle a laugh as I reached for the ribbon I’d prepared.
But someone moved faster.
“Here you are, Sir Baratheon.”
Kana, seated right beside me, rose gracefully and handed him a handkerchief with a demure smile.
Even at a glance, her finely embroidered handkerchief outshone my clumsy ribbon.
“Who is that young lady?” someone whispered.
Murmurs spread.
“She’s the younger Miss Osette.”
“Osette? Isn’t that a cadet branch of Asinov?”
“The most prominent of them.”
“Oh my, so will Sir Baratheon take her as his lady?”
“Even though the direct heiress is here?”
“I suppose a lady raised among commoners doesn’t count as a real lady.”
As the whispers swirled, Baratheon frowned at the handkerchief held out before him.
He looked from it to me, as if asking, What on earth is this?
I shrugged helplessly, just as Kana leaned closer to him and murmured softly:
“The young lady didn’t prepare a token. Wouldn’t it be more embarrassing for her if that became known?”
At her quiet words, Baratheon stiffened.
